Bismarck weekly tribune., 1887-09-30
A WET ENCAMPMENT
From First to Last, Dreary Weather,
Rain and Wind Marred the
Veteran 10 Pleasure.
Matters Considered and Principles
Proclaimed by the Assembled
SayiOrs of the Nation.

A Grand Parade in the Mud and
Rain and Much Other Un-
pleasant Experience.
ST. LOUIS, Sept 26.-The feature of this
encampment is the sheltering Of large
numbers of old veterans in tents. Tried at
each encampment before in small numbers
the plan gave such satisfaction and pleas
ure that it was decided thus to house vast
numbers, and the executive committee has
arranged to care for greater cancourse of
people in the field than has ever before
been attempted in the land. Except in
time of war, perhaps, no canvas city of
such proportions has ever been built in so
short time. Within two months $500
tents with ample room for $4,000 soldiers,
more than is in the entire United States
army, have been put together and are now
pitched in tents within the parks of the
city, all within radius of two miles. A
bale of straw makes mattresses for each
tent The bed the soldier brings strapped
on his knapsack or grip. Ever and anon
the surging crowds upon the streets pause
to hear the bugle call and then a stentorian
voice calling out name, company, regi-
ment and state-sometimes a call for
comrade not seen for years. Too often
there is no response. But then again an
jubilee. These camps are full of pathetic
meetings after years of separation. The
great camp is a series and will become
part of the Grand Army of the Republic
encampment of the future. Frank P.
Blair post, besides the usual reception of
visitors to-day, marched to the residence
of the widow of Gen. F. P. Blair at noon
and presented her with medal recently
adopted by the post bearing as medallion
the head of her late husband. In return
Mrs Blair presented to the post the flag of
the Seventeenth army corps, commanded
by General Blair during the latter part of
the war. All the afternoon and evening
the arrivals of veterans and the families in
squads, groups, posts and divisions,
by regular and excursion trains and by
steamboat have been incessant. They have
marched through the muddy streets in
spite of the rain to camp and lodging house.
Coming in such unorganized detaehments
and failing to report, all attempts to keep
record or make an estimate of their num-
bers have failed, though those in charge
are satisfied that very many more than
were counted upon have come. Every de-
partment reports more men either here or
coming than were at first announced and
it is safe to say that the grand parade will
be unprecedently large and imposing. This
evening the visitors were entertained by
receptions at the various post headquar-
ters. Their halls are beautifully decorated,
have been thrown open all day and many
comrades have accepted their hospitality.
Owing to the inclemency Of the weather
the committee doubt the expediency of a
parade tomorrow and this evening it was
agreed that in case of light rain or drizzle
the parade should take place as on the pro-
gramme, but in case of heavy rain the par
ade would be postponed until Wednesday
morning at 10 o'clock. In the event of
postponement the annual encampment ses-
sion proper will not begin until $50
Wednesday afternoon.
DISTINGUISHED ARRIVALS.
Gen. Lucius Fairchild, Adjutant General
Gray and others of the staff arrived this
evening. He was met at the depot by Gen
eral Grier and mounted staff and was es-
corted to his quarters at the Southern hotel.
mander-in-chiefs party. Mrs. Elizabeth
D. Arch Kline, national president of the
women's relief corps, arrived from San
Francisco this afternoon.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 27.-- Rain, mud and
gloom played havoc with the Grand Army
arrangements to-day and when the grand
parade was given up the boys had nothing
to do but hunt places of amusement. The
exposition consequently was the harbor of
thousands. Gilmore had prepared a
special programme of national airs and
war songs. The veterans came to See the
sights and they marched about until the
streets were sogged with mud. From
camp to camp, from hotel to hotel, columns
accompanied by drum corps and bands
were serenading and serenaded.
STATES REPRESENTED.
OF all the states represented Kansas re-
ports the greater number of soldiers, with
Illinois following, then probably lava and
Missouri.
A petition is being generally signed ask
ing congress to pass bill for the relief of
INDECENT veterans.
THE ooMAiANDERsHIP.
General Sherman has declined to accept
the Offices Of commander In chief under